Dark red cherries, pomegranate and ripe strawberries. Nice earthy tertiary notes and some dried herbs. Medium (+) bodied with a medium acidity. Very harmonious structure, elegant old world style. Nice long finish with lots of earthy notes. This is in a great spot now but definitely has a lot of great years ahead. (IG)
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Outstanding Musar vintage. Enjoyed with Lebanese food after being splashed back and forth between bottle and a Bowl at least 5 times, then left for an hour. Wonderfully complex, balanced and very much alive! With that little touch of volatile acidity and phenols that add to the personality of this Wine. Initially with quite some sweetness to it, kept in check by the High acidity. After an hour, the sweetness is gone and the show really starts…
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Dark garnet in colour. 50mm natural cork enclosure. Medium intensity on the nose but pronounced on the palate. Dark fruit, raspberry, plum, sweet spice and some jam. Med (fine) tannin, medium acidity, full body and an impressive length. What I’ve not mentioned yet is the balance. It’s excellent. Despite the age, this is still a keeper.
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Deep garnet red , still looks youthful no brown tinge, on the nose smoky cheeries and raspberries, jammy with a hint of shrapnel , well balanced with full bodied, accompanied lamb bolognaise with GF spaghetti and salad
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lovely bottle (from half like all my 08's) this was clean, no va, no brett, showing some secondary development. Different to both previous notes, no roasted fruit, no spikey alcohol, and the best bottle since a 75cl on release. It showed the best of Musar without any faults. More integrated then other bottles, knitting together very well. Drinking nicely now (375) but absolutely no rush. This will be fantastic.
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First time I've broached this Musar vintage and was impressed even if it is scheduled for the relatively short term. Core fruit of dark ripe blackberry and glacé black cherry with contrasting austere pomegranate and dry spice nuances. Smoke and earth starting to show which with good acidity provide interest and balance. Already mellow and moreish. Excellent accompaniment for our spiced rolled shoulder of lamb. In my view a 20yr from vintage Musar. Now till 2028.
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Decanted for ten hours before sipping a glass at dinner, and was able to track the subtle shifts on the nose during that time. After ten hours, it still seemed a little tight (!) but gave off complex notes of berries, crushed stone, graphite. Saving the rest of the bottle for two more evenings. A wine clearly built for decades.
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The first few months of 2008 in Beqaa weren't particularly plentiful with rain and snow, but after the late February no rains reached the valley for the rest of the season. The temperatures were moderate in March, which was followed by a sunny spring, keeping the humidity (and the amount of unwanted weeds) very low. In mid-August a heat wave arrived, making the grapes reach maturity at the same moment, creating some logistical problems on the harvesting of grape varieties – normally the grapes mature at different times, so there is no need to worry whether some varieties would turn overripe while picking the others. Especially Cinsaut seemed to only benefit from the heat wave. The wines were blended together after 3 years of aging, of which 1 year in oak barrels. 14% alcohol, 2 g/l residual sugar and 6,1 g/l acidity. Aerated in a decanter for four hours before tasting the wine.
Medium-deep, slightly translucent pomegranate red color. The nose feels quite clean, maybe a bit closed and reticent, yet still coming across as very nuanced and enormously attractive with layered aromas of ripe raspberries and wild strawberries, some plummy tones, a little bit of old leather, light cherry marmalade tones, a hint of tobacco, a touch of earth and a whiff of dried roses. The wine feels juicy, silky and savory on the palate with a moderately full body and quite intense flavors of wizened red plums and tobacco, some cherry tones, a little bit of leathery funk, light volatile nuances of nail polish and balsamico, a rich, umami-driven hint of tomato paste and a touch of earth. The wine shows bright, focused streak of acidity and firm, moderately grippy medium-plus tannins. The long finish is quite robust yet not tough with moderate tannic grip and a ripe yet spicy and savory aftertaste of red plums, some tobacco, a little bit of earth, light tart notes of lingonberries, a hint of leathery funk and a touch of balsamic richness.
This has consistently been one of the best Musar vintages in the 00's, showing great sense of typicity, structure and intensity. I remember tasting the wine when it was released and even if it tasted a bit awkward back then, you could also easily sense potential residing in the wine. This was now my third time tasting the wine and every time I've tasted it - in intervals of three years - it seems to have gotten only better. This is a fine, classic vintage of Musar that is starting to be a very fine wine indeed, but also holds a lot of potential for future development. I wouldn't be surprised if this vintage continued to age, evolve and improve for another 20 to 30 years more. Outrageous value at only 23€. Very highly recommended.
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This was great - cleaner than I was expecting, just a hint of VA, over three nights it showed really well. K loved it too, which I have to admit I was not expecting.
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Beginning to show secondary flavours but still with a juicy primary fruit core.
Nose was red & black berries and after 5 or so minutes a sharp lemon sherbet which disappeared after another 10 or 15.
Agree with much of what's been said below. Delicious and well balanced. Will probably last another couple of decades; seems to only just be opening up, possibly peaking in 5 to 10 years?
Edit: By the 4th day the bottom 5th of the bottle had developed some of the leather & balsamic notes other vintages have shown me straight out of the bottle when 10 to 15 years old. Unless you really go for the juicy fruit thing, I'd put this down until at least 2030.
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Decanted for an hour. Fantastic nose of red cherries and a hint of VA, delicious on the palate, savoury and moreish. Feels young and will go on for many years.
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Gekruide, zuidelijke gerechten, rundvlees en lamsvlees van de grill. Chateau Musar was founded in 1930 by Gaston Hochar, although since 1959 it has been run by his two sons Serge and Ronald. Serge Hochar is the more prominent of the two, as although he i Parker: The 2009 Hochar Pere et Fils is a blend of Cinsault, Grenache, Cabernet Sauvignon and Carignan aged in French oak. For those familiar only with Musar's reputation as a producer of powerful wines likely to age indefinitely and hard to encounter
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A disappointing flawed bottle. Brick red with browning. Tannic but the acid wasn't very evident at first. A weird spearmint nose popped up after a while but then went away. Not much fruit showing like the last bottle. Definitely not a representative bottle.
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Much different to the last bottle. Musar liike. Very mediterranian nose of roasted fruit. Some meaty notes as well and a hint of volatility (but well within normal range!) 375ml
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Briefly, very clean cork, high fill, decanted for about 5 hours before rebottling to go to the restaurant. But this is clearly not enough air for such a young Musar. The acidity is still moderate+, the fruit has elements of classic Musar, but is less perfumed than the 2009 we drank alongside it, tannis still a little rough round the edges, and the whole thing a bit disjointed.
I would say this needs either a VERY long decant (at least overnight) if you must drink it now, or another 5+ years in the bottle.
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Lovely concentration here with tingling tannic length after. Complex nose of tea, dried fruit, herbal/vegetal aromas - hard to pin down completely. Teeny bit of VA dancing around adds intrigue. Perfect on its own - rich and meditative
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Served 90 minutes after double decanting. Very balanced and fruity. Medium red in color. The tannins are drying and get more drying with air, but the fruit keeps on ticking. I think the wine is still too young and needs another five years to see how it develops.
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Friday Group Brown Bag Tasting (J&J's): Double blind. Opens with an intriguing thistle plant aroma, along with sewed fruit, spice and smoky barbecue sauce notes. The palate shows sour red fruit and vegetal flavors. With time in the glass and a bit if vigorous swirling this changes more than any other wine in recent memory. Aromas of mixed red and black fruit become less obviously ripe and the stewed qualities disappear, retaining the enjoyable smoky element. The palate is no longer sour, instead just loaded with wonderful red berry fruit. Excellent, with a long life ahead. (J&J)
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OK wine. I bought this with the group. Nothing like its prodigal 1998 Musar which is still my benchmark. This one is lighter, medium body red wine with a slightly short finish.
I continue to enjoy many vintages of Musar. This is pop n pour enjoyable while evolving with time upon opening. Enjoy now or cellar for many years. Superior alternative to similarly priced European blends.
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Reliable Bordeaux blend from Libanon: dried black fruit, dark chocolate, earthy note, prune, medium body, long lasting finish. Night out with the family.
Decanted 4 hours. Not the best Musar, a bit thin. Tiny bit of VA up front, but enough of the Musar signature to be enjoyable with steaks. Not a vintage to backfill though.
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The Musar '08 started out rather acidic, but settled down with a bit of air, becoming meaty and rich. Not a top Musar, but still a very good wine, and from a half bottle, good to go.
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The wine had an appearance of medium intensity with a ruby colour. On the nose the intensity was medium and it had primary aromas of green bell pepper with was very dominant and plum. Secondary aromas of oak and tertiary aroma of prune. On the palate the wine had a dry sweetness, medium acidity, high tannin, medium+ alcohol (13,5%), full body, medium flavour intensity and primary flavour characteristics of green bell pepper and plum. Secondary flavour characteristics of vanilla and tertiary of prune and tobacco. The wine has a medium finish that gives the wine the quality very good.
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Great value on the list at BLT Steak in Aruba. Decanted for 45 minutes and made a very nice match to the steak and creamed spinach. Classic Musar nose, slightly gamey, and deep dark fruit flavor.
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I just don’t think that this is ready for drinking yet.
It has a lovely, meaty, cherry core with plenty of acid bite. The magic that may appear has not resolved itself yet and at the moment, whilst a pleasant drinking experience, this remains somewhat within itself.
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Dark red. Blackcurrant, leather and oak. Typical spicy and full bodied Musar, but the 2008 vintage will definitely benefit from another 4-5 years in the bottle.
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My previous note 6 months ago was concerned about too much of a global style. This latest bottle was outstanding. Clearly Musar, beautifully balanced and superbly controlled and yet rustic but could do with even more time.
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Tasted a little tired on opening, but musar does this. Palate very sweet, dominated by sweet currants, some rancio in the background. Same Day 2. Not convinced about this bottle
The decant made all the difference. Ruby red, quite bright. Musar spice on the nose. No brett, indeed quite an un Musar like wine in some ways, more like a mature Rioja maybe, but with more spice. Silky smooth at first on the palate, but with savoury tannins at the end, which had softened quite a lot in the last year or so. I thought this was drinking beautifully now, in great balance, but will of course go on.....and on.
Superb match for roast Blackface lamb.
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Very un-Musar and rather new world. A bit anonymous in terms of grape and style Ripe. Lovely balance. Sweetish. Rich and tasty. A bit too much alcohol perhaps. But where is Musar?
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Drunk alongside a 2003. A meatier example with plenty of brett and VA on opening. Needed the six hour decant to start coming around. In comparison to the 03 this showed more stewed plums and figs. Tannins more evident but not too heavy. Seemed a little blunt compared to the older bottle but still very pleasurable. Little change on day 2.
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Excellent mid red colour. Initial burst of typical Musar on the nose. Surprising amount of lush fruit with only the Musar rusticity in the background. As time went on it was just an excellent lush, blanced, full raisiny full fruit wine but not Musar at all by the end. I cannot fault this as a wine but I worry that even this producer might be trying for a global style with this effort. I don't believe there is anything there to show it will develop into anything more sublime and in fact I think as time goes on it will be less like Muasr than now.
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One of my first wine loves. This one is a powerhouse that we will keep enjoying well into the 2nd half of the century. Earth and game as usual, with tons of fruit from a dry and concentrated vintage, while avoiding sensation of heat. A Lebanese superstar.
For more please watch below at YT channel Pandewine
https://youtu.be/sBVV79qfSlQ
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Very dark. Meaty, cocoa powder, resin. Not a lot of fruit action going on in the nose. Medium to full-bodied. Bright acid to give it some lift. Blackberry, slightly woody, savoury, touch herbal, soy sauce. Good length. Wonderful food wine, but also very nice to drink by itself. Tannins already soft. Quite enjoyable now.
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Hmm. Un Musar clean nose. Not much there at all. Hint of dirty old barrel. Alcohol peeking through as well. Also quite insipid on the palate. I'm wondering if there is low level tca. Not a very interesting bottle. I think all is not well.
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Tasted after the 2007. More savoury in comparison, brighter acidity, good concentration of fruit, spicy. Long, tannic finish. A little tight and grippy. Hold. 91-93
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The first few months of 2008 in Beqaa weren't particularly plentiful with rain and snow, but after the late February no rains reached the valley for the rest of the season. The temperatures were moderate in March, which was followed by a sunny spring, keeping the humidity (and the amount of unwanted weeds) very low. In mid-August a heat wave arrived, making the grapes reach maturity at the same moment, creating some logistical problems on the harvesting of grape varieties – normally the grapes mature at different times, so there is no need to worry whether some varieties would turn overripe while picking the others. Especially Cinsaut seemed to only benefit from the heat wave. The wines were blended together after 3 years of aging, of which 1 year in oak barrels. 14% alcohol, 2 g/l residual sugar and 6,1 g/l acidity.
Luminous, translucent ruby red color with no deposit at all in the bottle. Very sunny, clean and sweet-toned nose with vibrant aromas of strawberry juice, brambly raspberries, some darker marmaladey tones, a little bit of leather, light fragrant notes of cooked rose hips, a lifted hint of nail polish VA and a touch of wizened dark fruits. The wine is ripe, quite full-bodied and harmonious on the palate with silky smooth yet remarkably firm and structured overall feel. Vibrant flavors of juicy raspberries, sour cherries, some wild strawberries, a little bit of stony minerality, sunny hints of wizened black cherries and dried figs and a slightly bitter touch of roasted spices. The wine is impressively structured with its high acidity and quite grippy, tightly-knit tannins. The finish is long, spicy and quite tannic with dry flavors of ripe blackberries, some juicy blueberries, a little bit of earthy spices, light tart red-fruited notes, a hint of gravelly minerality and a touch of dried black cherries.
A relatively clean, but also very impressively structured, sinewy and complex vintage of Musar with a somewhat noticeable yet not overwhelming undercurrent of volatile lift, typical of the house style. Very tasty at the moment, but also showing lots of promise for future development. Most likely this is going to be one of the longest-lived Musar vintages of the 00's, based on the intensity of its fruit and muscular structure. I can imagine this won't be hitting its plateau of maturity at least in the next 10-15 years. Simply raging value at 23€. Very highly recommended.
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Black fruit, leather & cut cedar, plum. Focused, dense and juicy blackberry with a sweet spice and oak finish. A primary Musar even at eleven years young. Won't touch the other 2 for at least 5 or so years.
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My youngest Musar to date, and it's very nice and smooth. It seems to me that Musar is getting a bit less "rustic" over the years, which makes it different, but not necessarily worse.
I decanted this (there was just a little light sediment in the bottle) and started to drink immediately. The nose is the pure spicy fruit that we all associate with Musar, but with none of the funk that some of us love.
On the palate it's very smooth indeed - nice moderate tannins and spicy fruits. The finish is quite long. There is just a little acidity. There's not much evolution over an hour or two beyond the tannins getting a little more bite (classic Musar needed hours to settle down).
It's very nice, but it doesn't have the "wow" factor that older vintages had. It would pair with many foods - lamb is the obvious meat, but it's working well for me with some cheeses.
So it's very nice, but I guess the days of the old "love it or hate it" Musar are gone.
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Nice wine. Although "young" compared to the others I've had which are in the 80's and 90's, this wine is a really nice change of pace. Nose still has the brambly, fruit and tobacco and almost 'foresty' notes that the older ones have a bit more of (and, to me, have QUITE a bit more of). Yet, on the palate this is a combination of sweet and tart fruit. Plum, hint of raisin, tobacco, hint of herb with nice bracing acidity on the finish. I think this wine would go very nicely with a myriad of foods, without trying to compete or outdo those foods. Seems IMO to be more in balance than the ones with 10-20 more years.
2001 – 92. A real testament to the winemaker’s skill. See previous verticals. It’s now 18 years old and you can still taste that distinct fresh fruit on the palate. Just starting to get a little lighter now. 2002 – 90. That sharp spritz that we previously got on the front of the tongue has now finally gone. 2003 – 89. Odd one out of the evening. More ‘meaty’ and savoury. Went fine with food. We had previously found the 2003 to be much smoother. 2004 – 92. Yes, back to that medicinal cherry lozenges punch 2005 – 93. Drinking very well now. Hint of spiciness. 2007 – 92. A deeper, heavier year. You can still find some 2007’s at the larger retailers and it’s ready. Had the strongest bouquet of the lot 2007 Magnum – 93. We had fun here, putting a magnum and a standard bottle of the same year up against each other. Was there a difference? Yes. Would you know if you did not have them side by side? Unlikely. This was the star of the night. Ripe fruit. Think warm sunshine. 2008 – 91. Youngest one here and it shows immediately just looking at the rims comparing it with the others. It was the ‘reliable friend’ – easy drinking, plenty of fruit (evokes Christmas sweet spices) and went well with the cheese course A Billecart Salmon 1999 to start. All reds out of the Eurocave the night before, opened in the morning. Smoked duck with asparagus and a walnut dressing to start, beef filet with a shallot and port sauce, potatoes cooked with garlic and thyme, cheeses, rose possett with rhubarb.
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Beautiful color, like a mature Bordeaux. In the nose cherry and some spicy notes. On the palate cherry, minerality, tobacco and some prunes in the finish. Medium long finish. Interesting. 88-90P
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Spicy nose with admirably pure (for Musar anyway) dark fruits on the palate. Well balanced - this is a big mouthful of wine but very drinkable nonetheless.
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From a 375. Showing young ripe fruit yet this wine is clearly on its way to maturity. Hint of VA on the nose and maybe some barrel. Very balanced palate showing plenty of sweet, ripe fruit and adequate acidity. Little bit of tannin. Shows a bit of alcohol as it gets to room temp. Somehow still seems balanced. Very nice. Long way to go.
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Nose slightly muted at first but then classic spicy tones, no brett evident to me at least. Plum and red fruits but still quite tannic for a Musar. Still a bit to go before this is mature, as is typical with Musar. Very enjoyable now though.
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Had in Vegas. Still showing really tight with lots of tannins but good mouthfeel and fruit. Nose was showing pretty well, seems like a good vintage that still needs time.
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I bought a half case of these back in late 2016 after being completely impressed with this wine. It's a classic Musar style I've found myself drawn to look for and love the balance these wines have with acidity, tannin, and fruit. The nose of this is full of spice, dried fruits, and clove. The palate is framed with good acidity followed by notes of blueberries, plum, and a mix of red fruits. Outstanding!!
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A great Musar. Complex and balanced. Towards the bordeaux end. Savoury with notes of cherry then raspberry, tobacco and later pencil. Needed a 30 min decant.
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Dark fruited (more so than other vintages), cedar, dark leaf, leather, VA. Lovely tannins fill the mouth, great palate progression, good finish. A very good Musar
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Aubergine Chermoula with bulgar as the starter, a rib of beef with a middle eastern gravy (with cinnamon, allspice, garlic, onion, nutmeg, parsley), then English cheeses and rose pannacota for dessert. A Gardet 120 with canapés to start. 2003 - 91. So clearly the lightest and most translucent but still punching strong for its age and opened up after a couple of hours. Drink now. Soft tannins and good fruit. 2004 - 90. Better nose. More assertive with sharper taste. This was the star of the evening last time. This time, it was the one with a vegetal whiff. Light tawny. Still has that cherry on the palate. 2005 - 92. Distinctly darker next to the last 2. Punchy and heavier. Notes of almost fortified wine. High acidity. Probably peaking next year. 2006 - 91. Still tannic. A few years to go yet. Some pepper, tar and herbs (but still sweet). Musar held back the 2006 before release 2007 - 92. The favourite for a couple of us. Coffee beans and ripe fruits. A hot year. 2008 - 91. Dark purple. Dark fruits and a hint of cloves. The food makes a huge difference. We used a quarter of the chilli powder the recipe called for, half the yoghurt. We also tried and discounted pork with the Musar.
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That typical Musar VA is starting to calm down a bit now compared with earlier bottles. From a half, this is now is a good drinking window, plenty of cinnamon/xmas spices, tannins resolved, and everything staring to integrate. Bodes well for future bottles
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Eđalklúbbur, vínsmakk #2 haust 2017 (Hlíðarás 10): Frekar ljóst á litinn. Dökkir tónar í ilmi. Fjárhús, súrhey, brennt gúmmí, vindlakassi í nefinu. Hellings eik í munni. Vanilla. Lítill ávöxtur. Sæta samt. Vantar kannski aðeins meiri kraft og minni sætu. Áhugavert vín samt. Líklega er vínið tæplega dottið inn í drykkjarglugga. Myndi líklega borga sig að halda að sér höndum til 2020 með það.
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A positive surprise, the 2008 Musar delivers a rather clean impression with velvety red fruit, a nice acidity and just a slight whiff of the so typical barnyard brett tones this winery is sadly known for. Adding to the positive impression is a stony minerality and elegant saddle leather. The palate does not fall short of the nose with integration and balance as its hallmarks. The structure tells me this wine could cellar for many years to go, but it certainly is a treat tonight too. Without slightest doubt a nice acquaintance! (score is 94+)
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Musar at Flatiron (and a NZ Chardonnay) (Flatiron, SF): All the ingredients are there: blackberry, red cherry, fur, earth, VA, some hints of oak spice. On the palate, vibrant and centered, in the context of Musar. Possibly akin to the '95, 2005.
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Jervois Wine Bar + '08 Musar (Jervois Rd Wine Bar + Kitchen, Auckland): Out of the bottle this showed muscular, deep red fruit, ripe raspberry liqueur. Tamari blackberry, a hint of oxidation (browned pruney blackberry) and just a hint of Brett spice and oak spice. Slight balsamic and perfumed VA notes as well. Classic Musar.
Over time the nose evolved blueberry and blackcurrant. An expressive mix of fruit.
On the palate, open, ripe, with medium plus body, medium plus alcohol, medium plus acid, medium tannins.
Seems to be in a bolder style for Musar, akin to the '91, '99, and '05. Beautiful, if primary. Probably 10-15 years from its inflection point.
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Broadbent Selections (Musar, +++) (Western Reserve Wines): I used to buy these regularly but they sort of fell off the radar. I need to correct that (and indeed I bought a bottle). $55. This is pretty tight right now. It seems to be the current vintage. Deep ruby in color. The nose has dark cherries, some cassis, slight spice, some merde and a bit of dry earth/dust. On the palate, there is a nice juiciness to it. Firm tannins and tightly packed. I let it sit in my glass for a long time and it slowly opened, but this needs some time. It seems to have the pieces parts. It will need to be well stored, so it is worth buying now to lay down in a good cellar. Certainly a couple points of upside here.
no proper note, The wine looks ruby colored. It smells like red currant, black currant and black pepper. It tastes like black currant, red currant, black pepper, sour cherry and a little burnt. The body is medium. The wine has silky texture. The wine finishes medium. The wine has medium acidity. 91-92p
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Very young, but fairly classic Musar with good promise for the future. Good complexity and depth, yet fresh. Probably not an outstanding vintage, but, unlike 2009, one that deserves attention.
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Decanted and immediately served with hard cheese, candied almonds and apricots. A great balance of two grapes. Love the story of this family and vineyard.
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I strongly recommend this outstanding wine. My score is based on how it tastes now, but it will surely improve significantly. I reached this conclusion because after decanting, it still needing hours in the glass to open up. To be frank, if you are already in your seventies I wouldn't recommend buying this wine if you've set your heart on drinking it at its peak. Unless you get close to receiving your telegram from the Queen (or King by then), it'll probably outlive you. However, if you've not had your seventieth birthday, my advice is to get some for your cellar.
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One of a number of bottles double-decanted before a social wine tasting for friends. This was chosen as a contrast with a slightly older vintage. I opened too many bottles to taste and, whilst the '98 was emptied, half a bottle of this '08 remained. After 3 nights and 2 days, this wine showed all of its juvenile Musar character but was still fresh. It benefitted from the time post decanting, suggesting it needs years, yet. Briefly, the nose showed excellent fruit and spice. The palate was full of cherry fruit with hints of cherry brandy and blackberry ice cream character. Very long and well balanced - it just didn't have the depth of flavour and the complexity that are still to come with cellaring. Excellent with rare roast lamb fillet, though. 91+
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My first experience of this vintage. Semi-opaque bright ruby Nose is young classic Musar...obvious VA, lots of high tones on the nose and the palate offers up flavors of cherry cough drop and tart red fruits framed by high acidity and firm tannins. This comes across as more polished than other vintages of Muser that I've had. This could be really outstanding with some time...maybe even classic. At $40/bottle or less buy all that you can find right now if you like Musar. Outstanding! with room to improve. Check back in 2023+
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Ch. Musar Dinner with Marc Hochar (Crown Wine Cellars, 18 Deep Water Bay Drive, Shouson Hill, Hong Kong): My first experience of this vintage. Semi-opaque bright ruby jewel colour. Nose is young classic Musar.... heavy VA, lots of high piano notes, clearly immature. Palate is liqueur-like heavily extracted cherry. Tannic and a bit headachey. None of this is surprising because the Hochars alway say that they only drink their wine when it is 15 years old (at least they do us the great favour of not releasing it for 8 years...so hold off for another 7 years). I do think this could evolve into a blockbuster vintage with sufficient patience. Too young to score.
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Another vertical tasting, this time with hot beef over mustard greens as a starter, lebanese lamb, then a cheese course. All wines opened 4 hours before the meal. A 2004 Verve Cliquot vs a 2008 Nyetimber to start. 2001 - 92. amazing fruit for a 15 year old wine 2003 - 91. both the 2003 and 2004 were musty on the nose at the beginning but this quickly dissipated. The 2003 was so smooth. A bit of wood (given that they use concrete vats) 2004 - 92 one of the definite stars of the evening. Think cherry sweetness 2005 - 91 still very good and some of our guests remembered this as their favourite. Probably maturing quicker than the other vintages 2007 - 92 we thought this was a '94 in the making. Both the '97 and '98 needed a bit longer 2008 - 92 really need to give this a few more years before we can judge. Lots of promise There was no 2006 vintage and we gave the 2002 a miss given the 'spritz' we had from previous tastings Oh, such a lovely time
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Very powerful wine. Though it was well balanced. Surprise bottle Lebanon. Rich, luscious, and could use a year or two to round out. Enjoyed it very much.
From Beirut to Bodř - Chateau Musar tasting (Bodø): A baby Musar that needs some time sideways. Quite high on VA and supple hints of smoke, ripe blackberry with undertones of sawdust. Lively palate with sour fruit and drying tannins.
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balsamic, lovely aromatic wood like cedar/sandalwood, orange peel/oil, pine sap, red plum/raspberry sweet sour balance, good acidity, fills out the mouth well, flavoured finish but the tannins don't linger, comet-shaped palate progression of tannins, earthy drying tannins with medium-dried-out grass. Very good
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Très violacé et encore beaucoup de fruits noirs.Il semble être voué à une très longue garde. Il a déja une très bonne longueur mais il détonnait un peu des deux autres car au départ il était plus fermé (surtout au nez). Puis il était un peu plus bonbon vers la fin avec il goutait les pieds (le bonbon rouge).Un peu plus kirsché aussi. Très parfumé et une petite note floral. P.S mon top 3 de bonbons de dépanneur à faire compter par le commis : 1) Les pieds rouges 2) Les petites framboises 3) La baleine bleue. Mention dégueulasse à la fraise et à la banane sêché que personne voulait dans le contenant. 16/20++
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Youthful, dark, almost black cherry color with faint purple hues and moderate translucency. Lovely, complex and wild nose so typical of Musar: sweet volatile notes, rich kirsch-driven fruit, ripe and succulent red berries, sunny dark fruit, some acetone, a little prune and a hint of bretty funk. Very intense, structured and quite full-bodied palate with surprisingly concentrated flavors of ripe dark berries, toasted spices, some sweet plummy fruit, a little sour cherry and a hint of acetaldehyde salinity - all counterpointed by moderately pronounced bitterness. Moderate acidity and quite chewy, grainy tannins. Moderately long, spicy and slightly bitter finish with a bit of alcohol warmth and flavors of sour cherry, tart lingonberry and a hint of salinity in the aftertaste.
A surprisingly concentrated and structured Musar, which is nice after the weaker 2007 and still nonexistent 2006. Very imposing with brooding, dark-toned fruit and those typical volatile-and-funky Musar notes; although promising, seems to be in a bit awkward phase right now. Currently requires easily more than just 2 hours of decanting which we had; however, I recommend giving the wine at least a decade more before opening it. Very, very recommended - one of the most promising Musars in a while.
Occasional dinner group: A mixed set.. (By FN): Concentrated bouquet with ripe dark berries, herbs and spices as well as rustic in a very pleasant way. All impressions on the palate as well. Beautiful acidity and round tannin with a good bite. Concentrated, modern and clean wine in its youthful phase. In fact I see now that I fully agree with the note of Xavier Auerbach. Would like to taste again around 2022.
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A private dinner (Restaurant De Lage Vuursche, Lage Vuursche, NL): Mature but lively appearance, maturing at the rim; quite a modern and clean style for Musar, sweet fruit, spices and a hint of cream, but not without the customary porty note of VA, and the earthy and leathery character; bright and youthful and tannic on the palate, tight but fresh and juicy, energetic and mineral, firm but well-balanced, garrigue, spices, tannic grip; good resonance on the finish, very good length. Very youthful for age, long life.
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Bottle opened 24 hours ago. Pitch dark red color. Dense, young and with a slight bricking in the edges. The nose is extremely oaky. Not much else in here. Some hints of fruit under a layer of oak. But the taste on the other hand kicks ass! Powerful, concentrated, fruity and nicely balanced with hints of raisins and prunes. Slight oxidation here? There are also cherries, blackcurrant, leather and marked tannins. Perhaps a bit too much tannins right now. This wine is very young, but that should not be a surprise to anyone.
50+5+11+15+8 (89p)
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Licorice, cherry kirsch, black-red cherry-cassis; touch of rose, lavender, sage, coffee, clove; soft entry, Mod+ body, lovely juicy sweet cherry fruit and sweet and sour sauce; concrete/granite sort of minerality, balanced, dusty tannins, good acidity, bright finish, has potential. Usually 1/3 each cab/cinsault/carignan. Ripe year, fruitiest vintage to date. 90-91. Marc Hochar tasting at Terroni.
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Musar Industry Tasting at Wingtip with Marc Hochar (Wingtip): Still primary, with stem-like herbaceousness, dark cherry and red cherry. Structured and tight with firm tannins (medium plus). Reminds me of a more primary version of the 2004. This isn’t Musar yet. Wait at least 10 years. Score: Around 9
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Smoke, barn, mature red berries, sweet plums, figs, exotic spices and herbs. Bit dry and warm in the finish, but not distracting really. Bit tight. Clearly ready for many years in the cellar. Promising. Showing well now, but will only improve.
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This wine is already very good. I'm looking forward to trying another bottle in a couple years. Currently it really hits the back of the throat and has a full, deliciously fruity flavour.
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From half. Clear, viscous and dark red. Nose warm, fruity, nutmeg, a touch of nail varnish (not off-putting). In the mouth, sweet dark fruit, a bit of a christmas cake vibe about the spice element. The VA is low level, persistent and necessary to the slightly off-kilter profile. Tannins and acidity sub-medium. This is a very easy drinking Musar which may make some ask, what's the big deal?
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Kloden rundt. Vínsmakk hjá deildinni. (Njálsgata 6): Sjötta vínið og það síðasta úr dýrasta klassanum. Umhellt tvisvar og látið standa í flöskunni í ca. þrjá tíma fyrir smakk. Meðaldökkur litur. Í nefi var aðallega að finna leysiefni og líka smá útihús. Ilmurinn truflaði marga smakkara. Bragðið var hins vegar mun viðfelldnara. Dökk ber, jarðartónar í munni. Ekki mikil ending. Vínið var að öllum líkindum örlítið korkað. Þó ekki svo mikið að skipti sköpum. Skrítið vín en gaman að hafa smakkað það.
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Robe sombre, sanguine. Du fruit mur au nez. Touches fumées et épices, poivre? En bouche y a de la matière. Fruits murs, tannins soyeux. L acidité donne juste ce qu il faut avec le carré d agneau du jour. Toujours long en bouche. C est à la fois tendre, délicat et un rien matcho.
Une énorme claque pour moi. Un vin de garde sans nul doute. 2 heures en carafe à 16 degrés.
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Stor maffig doft av mörk frukt, läder, kaffe, kryddnejlika och sandelträ. Lite stall och antydan till brandrök. Mycket mörk frukt också i smaken, rejäl syra, fina integrerade tanniner och mycket bra längd.
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Decanted for 30 mins. Lots of excellent Musarness here, beautiful red berries with a smoky background and a hint of barnyard on the nose. The palate shows sweet red berries, feeling very young, strong tannins, good acidity. Surely this will age very nicely! Excellent now as well.
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Opened 6h prior and double decanted. Good colour and a fine, forward nose. Juicy fruit - big, voluptuous and yet soft and immediately attractive. Good structure and balance; long. This bottle was more impressive than the half tasted earlier. As before, this is very drinkable but will undoubtedly gain complexity as it matures over decades. Tasted at Grand Union Wine Society with Jane Sowter of Chateau Musar (UK)
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Half bottle. Rich deep colour - youthful. 6h after decanting it showed a typical nose and rich cherry fruit with a hint of orange and a touch of oak. Some cherry stones later. A nice drink but it has decades ahead to show its potential. Tasted side by side with an '87 (unfair, I know) and the difference was dramatic. The older wine had just as much fruit plus all the spicy complexity and the almost liqueur-like ending that this will offer in time. My score is my view of the wine now - not an indication of its potential.
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Intensity in the 2008 is not explosive but complexity certainly is great. The nose shows a bit VA like fresh car paint aromas and raw leather. Burnt wood and hints of barnyard is present. The fruit is ripe raspberry, strawberry and figs. Palate is nice and balanced with lively acidity and ripe tannins. Sour cherry and liquorice flavours.
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riper style Musar, lots of wild honey! on the nose, bark, some cedar and spice; some fruit sweetness but still savoury enough, good acidity, soft round mouth with silty tannins, quite elegant, nice mouthfeel.
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The 2008 Musar is yet another undeniable success and living tribute to the late Serge Hochar and the wonderful legacy he built. Exhibiting an enticing dense garnet core, this typical blend of Cabernet, Cinsault and Carignan delivers a lovely aromatic bouquet of figs, prunes, burnt tar, tobacco leaf and damp forest floor. Full bodied yet graceful and delicate the wine indulges the palate with layer upon layer of orange mocha, chocolate syrup, sun dried tomatoes and Grand Marnier - and lingers on for nearly a full minute with a long silky finish. This beauty will need another three years in the cellar before reaching full maturity and will then age effortlessly for at least thirty years - as most Musars do.
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This baby just keeps getting better and better....a couple of hours decade and nom, nom, nom! Long fulsome fruit, Musar aroma (i.e. incredible!) an an utter joy the palate....crazy flavoursome - all the reasons I love and drink red wine. Also think the initial tightness simply means that the 08 is going to become a highly collectable vintage....possibly even in to 05 territory! Now, that's a big ask! Might even have to bump up to 94 or 95 if this maturation continues. And all for circa 20 quid!!!!! Cheers...
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Interesting! Musars are always different and lean in different directions - and change with age and with air (more than most wines). This vintage is very sleek, powerful and modern-styled - perhaps most similar to a SuperTuscan Cabernet-Sangiovese blend or possibly CaliCab. Really quite opulent by initial release standards. Much more to my taste than the surly 2007. 2006 hasn't been released yet, so I suppose 2005 is a comparison point. That was a rather classier number - this is relatively tarty for a Musar, but there's always a twist, so I'll embrace tartiness in this bottle (something I usually steer clear of). A very good effort and one to go long on - see if you can pick some up if/when Waitrose do their next 25% off everything deal.
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Superb Musar. Closed in decanter for 24 hours. Colour: Clean, spotless, dark ruby. Still youthful. Nose: A melange of berry fruit compote; a hint of white pepper, sour plum, fig, orange zest,tobacco, herbs and nail varnish. Rhone meets old Garnacha. Tell-tale hint of volatile acidity that has become a Musar trademark. Palate: Fruit sweetness tempered by good lick of acidity; Gentle tannin; Exotic spices, fig and sour plum come through with a savoury finish. Slight 'bite' on the back palate. On the whole this is a delicious Musar that will certainly age gracefully, but why wait? (Will buy more).
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Having discovered six bottles of the '08 tucked in an under-stock and being unsure when it's officially released, I grabbed the six and headed home. Readers of my other reviews will be only too well aware that I adore this winery and it's stunning wares...so, what of the 08? Over three days, I partook of three bottles, one each for Friday, Saturday and Sunday. All three were opened and stood for an hour and then decanted, and slowly enjoyed over the course of the evening. From the off, all of the traditional Musar excitement on the nose is present...deep, rich, spicy...yet with hidden depth and promise. On the palate, an immediate treat...juicy, like the 07 after breathing, a pretty glugable treat from the off...HOWEVER, this one needs to be left, to start revealing some of the promise of that which, I strongly suspect, is to be. Over the next few hours a rollercoaster of alternate flavours and experiences arrived within my senses...sharp, drying tannins kicked in, and the flavour tightened massively...hence my rating being closer to the legendary 05 and even higher than the 07. From there, the flavours relaxed over an hour, descending in to big fruit and a dark, strong, dare I say "dirty" (but in a great, indulgent way?) flavour...Then, over the next hour, tastes and aromas lightening gently, the strong flavours elevated to leave the juicy Musar elegance I love so much. So, what to say about the 08? I will be buying more when I find it, and, with fellow Musar acolytes, open a bottle or two to debate over and enjoy, but the majority...well, they will sit next to the 05...awaiting their peak, or approach to it! This is a stunning addition to the Hochar fold (another star in the late, great Gaston's firmament) but one that is going to deliver beautifully in a few years time...it's a long flavoursome finish already, but I strongly suspect that a couple more years will level the ride and deliver yet another example of why Lebanon, and this diamond of a winery in particular, should be hailed not only as the originator, but also as a world leader in the art. Enjoy. Cheers...
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4/22/2024 - Rupert wrote:
Tba
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12/29/2023 - DrZett wrote: 93 Points
Dark red cherries, pomegranate and ripe strawberries. Nice earthy tertiary notes and some dried herbs. Medium (+) bodied with a medium acidity. Very harmonious structure, elegant old world style. Nice long finish with lots of earthy notes. This is in a great spot now but definitely has a lot of great years ahead. (IG)
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12/29/2023 - lekkim Likes this wine: 95 Points
Outstanding Musar vintage. Enjoyed with Lebanese food after being splashed back and forth between bottle and a Bowl at least 5 times, then left for an hour. Wonderfully complex, balanced and very much alive! With that little touch of volatile acidity and phenols that add to the personality of this Wine. Initially with quite some sweetness to it, kept in check by the High acidity. After an hour, the sweetness is gone and the show really starts…
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12/26/2023 - Head4Heights Likes this wine: 96 Points
Dark garnet in colour. 50mm natural cork enclosure.
Medium intensity on the nose but pronounced on the palate. Dark fruit, raspberry, plum, sweet spice and some jam. Med (fine) tannin, medium acidity, full body and an impressive length. What I’ve not mentioned yet is the balance. It’s excellent. Despite the age, this is still a keeper.
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12/17/2023 - Arjun Likes this wine: 95 Points
Deep garnet red , still looks youthful no brown tinge, on the nose smoky cheeries and raspberries, jammy with a hint of shrapnel , well balanced with full bodied, accompanied lamb bolognaise with GF spaghetti and salad
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11/27/2023 - rayq wrote: 93 Points
lovely bottle (from half like all my 08's) this was clean, no va, no brett, showing some secondary development. Different to both previous notes, no roasted fruit, no spikey alcohol, and the best bottle since a 75cl on release. It showed the best of Musar without any faults. More integrated then other bottles, knitting together very well. Drinking nicely now (375) but absolutely no rush. This will be fantastic.
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10/29/2023 - NickBurwood Likes this wine: 91 Points
First time I've broached this Musar vintage and was impressed even if it is scheduled for the relatively short term.
Core fruit of dark ripe blackberry and glacé black cherry with contrasting austere pomegranate and dry spice nuances. Smoke and earth starting to show which with good acidity provide interest and balance. Already mellow and moreish. Excellent accompaniment for our spiced rolled shoulder of lamb.
In my view a 20yr from vintage Musar. Now till 2028.
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10/1/2023 - Zorg wrote: 90 Points
Good but ttill too young for PnP.
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7/24/2023 - Smahlatz Likes this wine: 91 Points
Another Musar that smells knackered then resurrects itself after a day. Seems more stark with this vintage
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4/8/2023 - elborgoña Likes this wine: 93 Points
Decanted for ten hours before sipping a glass at dinner, and was able to track the subtle shifts on the nose during that time. After ten hours, it still seemed a little tight (!) but gave off complex notes of berries, crushed stone, graphite. Saving the rest of the bottle for two more evenings. A wine clearly built for decades.
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3/11/2023 - forceberry wrote: 95 Points
The first few months of 2008 in Beqaa weren't particularly plentiful with rain and snow, but after the late February no rains reached the valley for the rest of the season. The temperatures were moderate in March, which was followed by a sunny spring, keeping the humidity (and the amount of unwanted weeds) very low. In mid-August a heat wave arrived, making the grapes reach maturity at the same moment, creating some logistical problems on the harvesting of grape varieties – normally the grapes mature at different times, so there is no need to worry whether some varieties would turn overripe while picking the others. Especially Cinsaut seemed to only benefit from the heat wave. The wines were blended together after 3 years of aging, of which 1 year in oak barrels. 14% alcohol, 2 g/l residual sugar and 6,1 g/l acidity. Aerated in a decanter for four hours before tasting the wine.
Medium-deep, slightly translucent pomegranate red color. The nose feels quite clean, maybe a bit closed and reticent, yet still coming across as very nuanced and enormously attractive with layered aromas of ripe raspberries and wild strawberries, some plummy tones, a little bit of old leather, light cherry marmalade tones, a hint of tobacco, a touch of earth and a whiff of dried roses. The wine feels juicy, silky and savory on the palate with a moderately full body and quite intense flavors of wizened red plums and tobacco, some cherry tones, a little bit of leathery funk, light volatile nuances of nail polish and balsamico, a rich, umami-driven hint of tomato paste and a touch of earth. The wine shows bright, focused streak of acidity and firm, moderately grippy medium-plus tannins. The long finish is quite robust yet not tough with moderate tannic grip and a ripe yet spicy and savory aftertaste of red plums, some tobacco, a little bit of earth, light tart notes of lingonberries, a hint of leathery funk and a touch of balsamic richness.
This has consistently been one of the best Musar vintages in the 00's, showing great sense of typicity, structure and intensity. I remember tasting the wine when it was released and even if it tasted a bit awkward back then, you could also easily sense potential residing in the wine. This was now my third time tasting the wine and every time I've tasted it - in intervals of three years - it seems to have gotten only better. This is a fine, classic vintage of Musar that is starting to be a very fine wine indeed, but also holds a lot of potential for future development. I wouldn't be surprised if this vintage continued to age, evolve and improve for another 20 to 30 years more. Outrageous value at only 23€. Very highly recommended.
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2/26/2023 - lozatron Likes this wine:
This was great - cleaner than I was expecting, just a hint of VA, over three nights it showed really well. K loved it too, which I have to admit I was not expecting.
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1/21/2023 - mysterycooper Likes this wine:
Beginning to show secondary flavours but still with a juicy primary fruit core.
Nose was red & black berries and after 5 or so minutes a sharp lemon sherbet which disappeared after another 10 or 15.
Agree with much of what's been said below. Delicious and well balanced. Will probably last another couple of decades; seems to only just be opening up, possibly peaking in 5 to 10 years?
Edit: By the 4th day the bottom 5th of the bottle had developed some of the leather & balsamic notes other vintages have shown me straight out of the bottle when 10 to 15 years old. Unless you really go for the juicy fruit thing, I'd put this down until at least 2030.
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12/15/2022 - NiklasW Likes this wine: 92 Points
Decanted for an hour. Fantastic nose of red cherries and a hint of VA, delicious on the palate, savoury and moreish. Feels young and will go on for many years.
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12/3/2022 - nsellen wrote:
Very civilised for Musar. Well balanced, nothing weird. Toothsome and moreish. Running desperately low on these. They won’t last long.
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11/21/2022 - StefanVB wrote:
Gekruide, zuidelijke gerechten, rundvlees en lamsvlees van de grill. Chateau Musar was founded in 1930 by Gaston Hochar, although since 1959 it has been run by his two sons Serge and Ronald. Serge Hochar is the more prominent of the two, as although he i Parker: The 2009 Hochar Pere et Fils is a blend of Cinsault, Grenache, Cabernet Sauvignon and Carignan aged in French oak. For those familiar only with Musar's reputation as a producer of powerful wines likely to age indefinitely and hard to encounter
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10/21/2022 - AllRed wrote:
Friday Night Brown Bagger (EBCC): Double blind. Leather, earth, and mixed fruit notes. Red fruit on the palate. Balanced. (J&J)
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10/21/2022 - Border Boss wrote: flawed
A disappointing flawed bottle. Brick red with browning. Tannic but the acid wasn't very evident at first. A weird spearmint nose popped up after a while but then went away. Not much fruit showing like the last bottle. Definitely not a representative bottle.
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10/12/2022 - dannyg Likes this wine: 92 Points
Different medium concentration and goes very well with roast lamb.
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10/3/2022 - rayq wrote: 91 Points
Much different to the last bottle. Musar liike. Very mediterranian nose of roasted fruit. Some meaty notes as well and a hint of volatility (but well within normal range!) 375ml
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7/6/2022 - Paul852 wrote: 88 Points
Briefly, very clean cork, high fill, decanted for about 5 hours before rebottling to go to the restaurant. But this is clearly not enough air for such a young Musar. The acidity is still moderate+, the fruit has elements of classic Musar, but is less perfumed than the 2009 we drank alongside it, tannis still a little rough round the edges, and the whole thing a bit disjointed.
I would say this needs either a VERY long decant (at least overnight) if you must drink it now, or another 5+ years in the bottle.
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6/27/2022 - Smahlatz Likes this wine: 92 Points
Very good, better than the last which was not quite right. A nice balance between density and finesse here.
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2/28/2022 - winebunch wrote: 90 Points
Lovely concentration here with tingling tannic length after. Complex nose of tea, dried fruit, herbal/vegetal aromas - hard to pin down completely. Teeny bit of VA dancing around adds intrigue. Perfect on its own - rich and meditative
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2/19/2022 - Border Boss Likes this wine: 90 Points
Served 90 minutes after double decanting. Very balanced and fruity. Medium red in color. The tannins are drying and get more drying with air, but the fruit keeps on ticking. I think the wine is still too young and needs another five years to see how it develops.
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2/18/2022 - AllRed wrote:
Friday Group Brown Bag Tasting (J&J's): Double blind. Opens with an intriguing thistle plant aroma, along with sewed fruit, spice and smoky barbecue sauce notes. The palate shows sour red fruit and vegetal flavors. With time in the glass and a bit if vigorous swirling this changes more than any other wine in recent memory. Aromas of mixed red and black fruit become less obviously ripe and the stewed qualities disappear, retaining the enjoyable smoky element. The palate is no longer sour, instead just loaded with wonderful red berry fruit. Excellent, with a long life ahead. (J&J)
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2/2/2022 - dannyg Likes this wine: 88 Points
OK wine. I bought this with the group. Nothing like its prodigal 1998 Musar which is still my benchmark. This one is lighter, medium body red wine with a slightly short finish.
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1/3/2022 - Ajvandet wrote: 90 Points
I wasn't blown away. The wine was nice enough, although it weirdly felt too young at 13 yrs old
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12/30/2021 - jan erik wrote: 90 Points
Still keep this in cellar
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12/16/2021 - fournet wrote: 93 Points
I continue to enjoy many vintages of Musar. This is pop n pour enjoyable while evolving with time upon opening. Enjoy now or cellar for many years. Superior alternative to similarly priced European blends.
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10/22/2021 - Mark van Delft Likes this wine: 92 Points
Reliable Bordeaux blend from Libanon: dried black fruit, dark chocolate, earthy note, prune, medium body, long lasting finish. Night out with the family.
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10/7/2021 - adnorthup wrote:
Decanted 4 hours. Not the best Musar, a bit thin. Tiny bit of VA up front, but enough of the Musar signature to be enjoyable with steaks. Not a vintage to backfill though.
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8/14/2021 - winesteward Likes this wine: 88 Points
The Musar '08 started out rather acidic, but settled down with a bit of air, becoming meaty and rich. Not a top Musar, but still a very good wine, and from a half bottle, good to go.
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6/30/2021 - Christopherhoff Likes this wine: 87 Points
The wine had an appearance of medium intensity with a ruby colour. On the nose the intensity was medium and it had primary aromas of green bell pepper with was very dominant and plum. Secondary aromas of oak and tertiary aroma of prune. On the palate the wine had a dry sweetness, medium acidity, high tannin, medium+ alcohol (13,5%), full body, medium flavour intensity and primary flavour characteristics of green bell pepper and plum. Secondary flavour characteristics of vanilla and tertiary of prune and tobacco. The wine has a medium finish that gives the wine the quality very good.
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6/19/2021 - djhegarty Likes this wine: 93 Points
Great value on the list at BLT Steak in Aruba. Decanted for 45 minutes and made a very nice match to the steak and creamed spinach. Classic Musar nose, slightly gamey, and deep dark fruit flavor.
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6/11/2021 - cugel_saga Likes this wine: 89 Points
I just don’t think that this is ready for drinking yet.
It has a lovely, meaty, cherry core with plenty of acid bite. The magic that may appear has not resolved itself yet and at the moment, whilst a pleasant drinking experience, this remains somewhat within itself.
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5/29/2021 - Dugis wrote: 93 Points
Lovely. Deep burgundy color. Hints of licorice, hay, cherries. Soft, somewhat gripping tannins
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4/25/2021 - EndreAabergJohansen wrote: 83 Points
Dark red. Blackcurrant, leather and oak. Typical spicy and full bodied Musar, but the 2008 vintage will definitely benefit from another 4-5 years in the bottle.
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4/10/2021 - Willi Vinotti Likes this wine: 93 Points
Brilliant wine, at full maturity and aromatic evolution. Intense notes of leather, soups bois, cloves, cheery and spices. Spot on!
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3/13/2021 - Loathesome Likes this wine: 94 Points
My previous note 6 months ago was concerned about too much of a global style. This latest bottle was outstanding. Clearly Musar, beautifully balanced and superbly controlled and yet rustic but could do with even more time.
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3/2/2021 - Yassine23 Likes this wine:
Very good but a lot of VA (more than other bottles tried lately)
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1/17/2021 - vmad wrote:
Gitt bort til min søster. Hun melder om mye tanniner og syre. Matvin. Men en god vin.
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1/11/2021 - Smahlatz wrote: flawed
Tasted a little tired on opening, but musar does this. Palate very sweet, dominated by sweet currants, some rancio in the background. Same Day 2. Not convinced about this bottle
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12/21/2020 - auldalliance Likes this wine:
Finished bottle previously Coravined.
The decant made all the difference. Ruby red, quite bright. Musar spice on the nose. No brett, indeed quite an un Musar like wine in some ways, more like a mature Rioja maybe, but with more spice.
Silky smooth at first on the palate, but with savoury tannins at the end, which had softened quite a lot in the last year or so. I thought this was drinking beautifully now, in great balance, but will of course go on.....and on.
Superb match for roast Blackface lamb.
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10/26/2020 - Rob-Rah Likes this wine: 90 Points
Very un-Musar and rather new world. A bit anonymous in terms of grape and style Ripe. Lovely balance. Sweetish. Rich and tasty. A bit too much alcohol perhaps. But where is Musar?
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10/17/2020 - gwilliams68 Likes this wine: 90 Points
Drunk alongside a 2003.
A meatier example with plenty of brett and VA on opening. Needed the six hour decant to start coming around.
In comparison to the 03 this showed more stewed plums and figs. Tannins more evident but not too heavy. Seemed a little blunt compared to the older bottle but still very pleasurable.
Little change on day 2.
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10/8/2020 - HandmadeHomemade Likes this wine:
Best on day three, day 1 very tight
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9/12/2020 - Loathesome Likes this wine: 90 Points
Excellent mid red colour. Initial burst of typical Musar on the nose. Surprising amount of lush fruit with only the Musar rusticity in the background. As time went on it was just an excellent lush, blanced, full raisiny full fruit wine but not Musar at all by the end. I cannot fault this as a wine but I worry that even this producer might be trying for a global style with this effort. I don't believe there is anything there to show it will develop into anything more sublime and in fact I think as time goes on it will be less like Muasr than now.
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9/4/2020 - gbejjani Likes this wine: 93 Points
One of my first wine loves. This one is a powerhouse that we will keep enjoying well into the 2nd half of the century. Earth and game as usual, with tons of fruit from a dry and concentrated vintage, while avoiding sensation of heat. A Lebanese superstar.
For more please watch below at YT channel Pandewine
https://youtu.be/sBVV79qfSlQ
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7/27/2020 - andersodegaard wrote:
Fantastisk vin !
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3/29/2020 - winesteward Likes this wine: 90 Points
Very dark. Meaty, cocoa powder, resin. Not a lot of fruit action going on in the nose. Medium to full-bodied. Bright acid to give it some lift. Blackberry, slightly woody, savoury, touch herbal, soy sauce. Good length. Wonderful food wine, but also very nice to drink by itself. Tannins already soft. Quite enjoyable now.
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3/16/2020 - Cjs578 Likes this wine: 90 Points
Perfectly nice right now, in fact very nice, but it's not Musar yet. Not got anywhere near weird enough! Needs a few more years I'd say.
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3/15/2020 - Murphy6000 Likes this wine: 89 Points
Compared with the 09, more viscous, sweeter, fuller body (medium). Herbs, spices, red fruits. Needs longer in cellar.
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12/22/2019 - Take Two wrote: 92 Points
At its prime. Dried cranberries, leaves, tobacco. Medium finish. Unlikely to improve from here on, but one could still cellar for another 2-3 years.
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12/21/2019 - despore wrote: 90 Points
Well made wine, lovely acidity for its age, great balance, well integrated. A solid Musar, drinking well now, thoroughly enjoyed.
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12/10/2019 - rayq wrote:
Hmm. Un Musar clean nose. Not much there at all. Hint of dirty old barrel. Alcohol peeking through as well. Also quite insipid on the palate. I'm wondering if there is low level tca. Not a very interesting bottle.
I think all is not well.
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11/21/2019 - rossi.wine wrote: 92 Points
Tasted after the 2007. More savoury in comparison, brighter acidity, good concentration of fruit, spicy. Long, tannic finish. A little tight and grippy. Hold. 91-93
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11/13/2019 - MalcolmV Likes this wine: 92 Points
Chateau Musar Tasting: A bit more restrained than the '12.
Coffee and spice on the nose.
Savoury with a herbal element.
Very good
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10/25/2019 - forceberry wrote: 94 Points
The first few months of 2008 in Beqaa weren't particularly plentiful with rain and snow, but after the late February no rains reached the valley for the rest of the season. The temperatures were moderate in March, which was followed by a sunny spring, keeping the humidity (and the amount of unwanted weeds) very low. In mid-August a heat wave arrived, making the grapes reach maturity at the same moment, creating some logistical problems on the harvesting of grape varieties – normally the grapes mature at different times, so there is no need to worry whether some varieties would turn overripe while picking the others. Especially Cinsaut seemed to only benefit from the heat wave. The wines were blended together after 3 years of aging, of which 1 year in oak barrels. 14% alcohol, 2 g/l residual sugar and 6,1 g/l acidity.
Luminous, translucent ruby red color with no deposit at all in the bottle. Very sunny, clean and sweet-toned nose with vibrant aromas of strawberry juice, brambly raspberries, some darker marmaladey tones, a little bit of leather, light fragrant notes of cooked rose hips, a lifted hint of nail polish VA and a touch of wizened dark fruits. The wine is ripe, quite full-bodied and harmonious on the palate with silky smooth yet remarkably firm and structured overall feel. Vibrant flavors of juicy raspberries, sour cherries, some wild strawberries, a little bit of stony minerality, sunny hints of wizened black cherries and dried figs and a slightly bitter touch of roasted spices. The wine is impressively structured with its high acidity and quite grippy, tightly-knit tannins. The finish is long, spicy and quite tannic with dry flavors of ripe blackberries, some juicy blueberries, a little bit of earthy spices, light tart red-fruited notes, a hint of gravelly minerality and a touch of dried black cherries.
A relatively clean, but also very impressively structured, sinewy and complex vintage of Musar with a somewhat noticeable yet not overwhelming undercurrent of volatile lift, typical of the house style. Very tasty at the moment, but also showing lots of promise for future development. Most likely this is going to be one of the longest-lived Musar vintages of the 00's, based on the intensity of its fruit and muscular structure. I can imagine this won't be hitting its plateau of maturity at least in the next 10-15 years. Simply raging value at 23€. Very highly recommended.
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9/21/2019 - Rune_73 Likes this wine: 91 Points
Pretty good!
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9/4/2019 - mysterycooper Likes this wine: 91 Points
I largely agree with MFLESH below.
Black fruit, leather & cut cedar, plum.
Focused, dense and juicy blackberry with a sweet spice and oak finish.
A primary Musar even at eleven years young.
Won't touch the other 2 for at least 5 or so years.
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7/19/2019 - Paul852 Likes this wine: 90 Points
My youngest Musar to date, and it's very nice and smooth. It seems to me that Musar is getting a bit less "rustic" over the years, which makes it different, but not necessarily worse.
I decanted this (there was just a little light sediment in the bottle) and started to drink immediately. The nose is the pure spicy fruit that we all associate with Musar, but with none of the funk that some of us love.
On the palate it's very smooth indeed - nice moderate tannins and spicy fruits. The finish is quite long. There is just a little acidity. There's not much evolution over an hour or two beyond the tannins getting a little more bite (classic Musar needed hours to settle down).
It's very nice, but it doesn't have the "wow" factor that older vintages had. It would pair with many foods - lamb is the obvious meat, but it's working well for me with some cheeses.
So it's very nice, but I guess the days of the old "love it or hate it" Musar are gone.
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6/14/2019 - mflesh wrote: 93 Points
Nice wine. Although "young" compared to the others I've had which are in the 80's and 90's, this wine is a really nice change of pace. Nose still has the brambly, fruit and tobacco and almost 'foresty' notes that the older ones have a bit more of (and, to me, have QUITE a bit more of). Yet, on the palate this is a combination of sweet and tart fruit. Plum, hint of raisin, tobacco, hint of herb with nice bracing acidity on the finish. I think this wine would go very nicely with a myriad of foods, without trying to compete or outdo those foods. Seems IMO to be more in balance than the ones with 10-20 more years.
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5/5/2019 - shallIshantI Likes this wine: 91 Points
2001 – 92. A real testament to the winemaker’s skill. See previous verticals. It’s now 18 years old and you can still taste that distinct fresh fruit on the palate. Just starting to get a little lighter now.
2002 – 90. That sharp spritz that we previously got on the front of the tongue has now finally gone.
2003 – 89. Odd one out of the evening. More ‘meaty’ and savoury. Went fine with food. We had previously found the 2003 to be much smoother.
2004 – 92. Yes, back to that medicinal cherry lozenges punch
2005 – 93. Drinking very well now. Hint of spiciness.
2007 – 92. A deeper, heavier year. You can still find some 2007’s at the larger retailers and it’s ready. Had the strongest bouquet of the lot
2007 Magnum – 93. We had fun here, putting a magnum and a standard bottle of the same year up against each other. Was there a difference? Yes. Would you know if you did not have them side by side? Unlikely. This was the star of the night. Ripe fruit. Think warm sunshine.
2008 – 91. Youngest one here and it shows immediately just looking at the rims comparing it with the others. It was the ‘reliable friend’ – easy drinking, plenty of fruit (evokes Christmas sweet spices) and went well with the cheese course
A Billecart Salmon 1999 to start. All reds out of the Eurocave the night before, opened in the morning. Smoked duck with asparagus and a walnut dressing to start, beef filet with a shallot and port sauce, potatoes cooked with garlic and thyme, cheeses, rose possett with rhubarb.
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4/19/2019 - Roland67 Likes this wine: 89 Points
Beautiful color, like a mature Bordeaux. In the nose cherry and some spicy notes. On the palate cherry, minerality, tobacco and some prunes in the finish. Medium long finish. Interesting. 88-90P
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2/8/2019 - vinhslee wrote: 90 Points
Very plummy, with some leather, cedar and earthiness. Not as earthy as most other Musar. Refined, good but not great (by Musar standard).
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1/8/2019 - Will Devize wrote: 90 Points
Spicy nose with admirably pure (for Musar anyway) dark fruits on the palate. Well balanced - this is a big mouthful of wine but very drinkable nonetheless.
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9/15/2018 - WetRock wrote:
From a 375. Showing young ripe fruit yet this wine is clearly on its way to maturity. Hint of VA on the nose and maybe some barrel. Very balanced palate showing plenty of sweet, ripe fruit and adequate acidity. Little bit of tannin. Shows a bit of alcohol as it gets to room temp. Somehow still seems balanced. Very nice. Long way to go.
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9/14/2018 - auldalliance Likes this wine:
One glass with Coravin.
Nose slightly muted at first but then classic spicy tones, no brett evident to me at least. Plum and red fruits but still quite tannic for a Musar. Still a bit to go before this is mature, as is typical with Musar. Very enjoyable now though.
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8/15/2018 - manonthemoon wrote: 92 Points
Had in Vegas.
Still showing really tight with lots of tannins but good mouthfeel and fruit.
Nose was showing pretty well, seems like a good vintage that still needs time.
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7/20/2018 - Kirk Grant wrote:
I bought a half case of these back in late 2016 after being completely impressed with this wine. It's a classic Musar style I've found myself drawn to look for and love the balance these wines have with acidity, tannin, and fruit. The nose of this is full of spice, dried fruits, and clove. The palate is framed with good acidity followed by notes of blueberries, plum, and a mix of red fruits. Outstanding!!
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4/25/2018 - Zorg wrote: 88 Points
Still too young. Will try again 2020.
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4/8/2018 - Rupert wrote:
Richly fruity, exotic, full, structured - very fine for a Musar
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2/12/2018 - king-bing wrote:
A great Musar. Complex and balanced. Towards the bordeaux end. Savoury with notes of cherry then raspberry, tobacco and later pencil. Needed a 30 min decant.
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2/10/2018 - jdcarucci Likes this wine:
This is in a great place right now. Enjoy.
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2/10/2018 - Ward Huang Likes this wine: 93 Points
Again it shows good enough quality.
波尔多局加餐酒，很奈斯哈。
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12/5/2017 - Bearbus Likes this wine:
Dark fruited (more so than other vintages), cedar, dark leaf, leather, VA. Lovely tannins fill the mouth, great palate progression, good finish. A very good Musar
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11/27/2017 - shallIshantI Likes this wine: 91 Points
Aubergine Chermoula with bulgar as the starter, a rib of beef with a middle eastern gravy (with cinnamon, allspice, garlic, onion, nutmeg, parsley), then English cheeses and rose pannacota for dessert.
A Gardet 120 with canapés to start.
2003 - 91. So clearly the lightest and most translucent but still punching strong for its age and opened up after a couple of hours. Drink now. Soft tannins and good fruit.
2004 - 90. Better nose. More assertive with sharper taste. This was the star of the evening last time. This time, it was the one with a vegetal whiff. Light tawny. Still has that cherry on the palate.
2005 - 92. Distinctly darker next to the last 2. Punchy and heavier. Notes of almost fortified wine. High acidity. Probably peaking next year.
2006 - 91. Still tannic. A few years to go yet. Some pepper, tar and herbs (but still sweet). Musar held back the 2006 before release
2007 - 92. The favourite for a couple of us. Coffee beans and ripe fruits. A hot year.
2008 - 91. Dark purple. Dark fruits and a hint of cloves.
The food makes a huge difference. We used a quarter of the chilli powder the recipe called for, half the yoghurt. We also tried and discounted pork with the Musar.
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11/25/2017 - burgbob wrote: 91 Points
Still nuanced and complex. Not as concentrated as some vintages but consistent and lovely.
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11/23/2017 - jim dixon wrote: 91 Points
Right now this is an excellent but not outstanding vintage of Musar. Time might allow it to improve, but it is very enjoyable now.
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10/27/2017 - Gannet2013 wrote:
That typical Musar VA is starting to calm down a bit now compared with earlier bottles. From a half, this is now is a good drinking window, plenty of cinnamon/xmas spices, tannins resolved, and everything staring to integrate. Bodes well for future bottles
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10/12/2017 - bitdrerik wrote: 89 Points
Eđalklúbbur, vínsmakk #2 haust 2017 (Hlíðarás 10): Frekar ljóst á litinn. Dökkir tónar í ilmi. Fjárhús, súrhey, brennt gúmmí, vindlakassi í nefinu. Hellings eik í munni. Vanilla. Lítill ávöxtur. Sæta samt. Vantar kannski aðeins meiri kraft og minni sætu. Áhugavert vín samt. Líklega er vínið tæplega dottið inn í drykkjarglugga. Myndi líklega borga sig að halda að sér höndum til 2020 með það.
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10/7/2017 - Christoffer78 Likes this wine: 94 Points
A positive surprise, the 2008 Musar delivers a rather clean impression with velvety red fruit, a nice acidity and just a slight whiff of the so typical barnyard brett tones this winery is sadly known for. Adding to the positive impression is a stony minerality and elegant saddle leather. The palate does not fall short of the nose with integration and balance as its hallmarks. The structure tells me this wine could cellar for many years to go, but it certainly is a treat tonight too. Without slightest doubt a nice acquaintance! (score is 94+)
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8/17/2017 - RajivAyyangar wrote: 92 Points
Musar at Flatiron (and a NZ Chardonnay) (Flatiron, SF): All the ingredients are there: blackberry, red cherry, fur, earth, VA, some hints of oak spice.
On the palate, vibrant and centered, in the context of Musar. Possibly akin to the '95, 2005.
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8/10/2017 - RajivAyyangar wrote: 92 Points
Jervois Wine Bar + '08 Musar (Jervois Rd Wine Bar + Kitchen, Auckland): Out of the bottle this showed muscular, deep red fruit, ripe raspberry liqueur. Tamari blackberry, a hint of oxidation (browned pruney blackberry) and just a hint of Brett spice and oak spice. Slight balsamic and perfumed VA notes as well. Classic Musar.
Over time the nose evolved blueberry and blackcurrant. An expressive mix of fruit.
On the palate, open, ripe, with medium plus body, medium plus alcohol, medium plus acid, medium tannins.
Seems to be in a bolder style for Musar, akin to the '91, '99, and '05.
Beautiful, if primary. Probably 10-15 years from its inflection point.
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6/23/2017 - janka Likes this wine: 90 Points
Always like this wine. Give it 2-3 hour to open up and then enjoy.
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4/16/2017 - Ben Christiansen wrote:
Just outstanding stuff. Certainly dry and a bit funky but delicious. And amazing partner with lamb.
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4/6/2017 - Loren Sonkin wrote: 92 Points
Broadbent Selections (Musar, +++) (Western Reserve Wines): I used to buy these regularly but they sort of fell off the radar. I need to correct that (and indeed I bought a bottle). $55. This is pretty tight right now. It seems to be the current vintage. Deep ruby in color. The nose has dark cherries, some cassis, slight spice, some merde and a bit of dry earth/dust. On the palate, there is a nice juiciness to it. Firm tannins and tightly packed. I let it sit in my glass for a long time and it slowly opened, but this needs some time. It seems to have the pieces parts. It will need to be well stored, so it is worth buying now to lay down in a good cellar. Certainly a couple points of upside here.
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4/3/2017 - rosl wrote: 92 Points
no proper note,
The wine looks ruby colored. It smells like red currant, black currant and black pepper. It tastes like black currant, red currant, black pepper, sour cherry and a little burnt. The body is medium. The wine has silky texture. The wine finishes medium. The wine has medium acidity. 91-92p
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2/25/2017 - EirikM wrote: 90 Points
Very young, but fairly classic Musar with good promise for the future. Good complexity and depth, yet fresh. Probably not an outstanding vintage, but, unlike 2009, one that deserves attention.
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1/14/2017 - Wjkjr320 Likes this wine:
Decanted and immediately served with hard cheese, candied almonds and apricots. A great balance of two grapes. Love the story of this family and vineyard.
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1/13/2017 - Gooner58 wrote: 91 Points
I strongly recommend this outstanding wine. My score is based on how it tastes now, but it will surely improve significantly. I reached this conclusion because after decanting, it still needing hours in the glass to open up. To be frank, if you are already in your seventies I wouldn't recommend buying this wine if you've set your heart on drinking it at its peak. Unless you get close to receiving your telegram from the Queen (or King by then), it'll probably outlive you. However, if you've not had your seventieth birthday, my advice is to get some for your cellar.
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12/31/2016 - johnrm Likes this wine: 91 Points
One of a number of bottles double-decanted before a social wine tasting for friends. This was chosen as a contrast with a slightly older vintage.
I opened too many bottles to taste and, whilst the '98 was emptied, half a bottle of this '08 remained. After 3 nights and 2 days, this wine showed all of its juvenile Musar character but was still fresh. It benefitted from the time post decanting, suggesting it needs years, yet.
Briefly, the nose showed excellent fruit and spice. The palate was full of cherry fruit with hints of cherry brandy and blackberry ice cream character. Very long and well balanced - it just didn't have the depth of flavour and the complexity that are still to come with cellaring. Excellent with rare roast lamb fillet, though. 91+
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12/1/2016 - Kirk Grant wrote:
My first experience of this vintage. Semi-opaque bright ruby Nose is young classic Musar...obvious VA, lots of high tones on the nose and the palate offers up flavors of cherry cough drop and tart red fruits framed by high acidity and firm tannins. This comes across as more polished than other vintages of Muser that I've had. This could be really outstanding with some time...maybe even classic. At $40/bottle or less buy all that you can find right now if you like Musar. Outstanding! with room to improve. Check back in 2023+
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10/14/2016 - Lype Likes this wine: 90 Points
Still young and does not yet reveal its true nature, chocolate, boysenberry, chalky tones. Interesting to see how this vintage develops.
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9/24/2016 - Goldstone wrote:
Ch. Musar Dinner with Marc Hochar (Crown Wine Cellars, 18 Deep Water Bay Drive, Shouson Hill, Hong Kong): My first experience of this vintage. Semi-opaque bright ruby jewel colour. Nose is young classic Musar.... heavy VA, lots of high piano notes, clearly immature. Palate is liqueur-like heavily extracted cherry. Tannic and a bit headachey. None of this is surprising because the Hochars alway say that they only drink their wine when it is 15 years old (at least they do us the great favour of not releasing it for 8 years...so hold off for another 7 years). I do think this could evolve into a blockbuster vintage with sufficient patience. Too young to score.
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9/17/2016 - shallIshantI Likes this wine: 92 Points
Another vertical tasting, this time with hot beef over mustard greens as a starter, lebanese lamb, then a cheese course. All wines opened 4 hours before the meal. A 2004 Verve Cliquot vs a 2008 Nyetimber to start.
2001 - 92. amazing fruit for a 15 year old wine
2003 - 91. both the 2003 and 2004 were musty on the nose at the beginning but this quickly dissipated. The 2003 was so smooth. A bit of wood (given that they use concrete vats)
2004 - 92 one of the definite stars of the evening. Think cherry sweetness
2005 - 91 still very good and some of our guests remembered this as their favourite. Probably maturing quicker than the other vintages
2007 - 92 we thought this was a '94 in the making. Both the '97 and '98 needed a bit longer
2008 - 92 really need to give this a few more years before we can judge. Lots of promise
There was no 2006 vintage and we gave the 2002 a miss given the 'spritz' we had from previous tastings
Oh, such a lovely time
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9/11/2016 - Barry Rothof wrote: 92 Points
Ripe black fruit with strong acidity and tanin structure.
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9/3/2016 - AudunG wrote: 90 Points
Aromas of sweet, dried red fruits and spices. Intense and elegant. More modern style than earlier?
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8/30/2016 - Sorrowless Likes this wine: 91 Points
This is a great Musar. Still young, but with all the right components in there. Drank this over 3 days and it just got better.
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8/16/2016 - Affectus Likes this wine: 93 Points
Very powerful wine. Though it was well balanced. Surprise bottle Lebanon. Rich, luscious, and could use a year or two to round out. Enjoyed it very much.
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8/11/2016 - janka Likes this wine: 92 Points
a very good vintage, perfect to drink now.
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7/23/2016 - Janskigerrard wrote:
Fikk til 40-års lag av Jørgen/Per/Øystein/LP
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7/5/2016 - Bobhelge wrote: 89 Points
From Beirut to Bodř - Chateau Musar tasting (Bodø): A baby Musar that needs some time sideways. Quite high on VA and supple hints of smoke, ripe blackberry with undertones of sawdust. Lively palate with sour fruit and drying tannins.
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6/25/2016 - Bearbus wrote:
balsamic, lovely aromatic wood like cedar/sandalwood, orange peel/oil, pine sap, red plum/raspberry
sweet sour balance, good acidity, fills out the mouth well, flavoured finish but the tannins don't linger, comet-shaped palate progression of tannins, earthy drying tannins with medium-dried-out grass. Very good
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6/18/2016 - janka Likes this wine: 93 Points
My firs Musar, and I really like it. Bordeaux style but ready to drink all ready. Have it to Biff Rydberg a classic Swedish dish.
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6/5/2016 - phil the agony wrote: 90 Points
Très violacé et encore beaucoup de fruits noirs.Il semble être voué à une très longue garde.
Il a déja une très bonne longueur mais il détonnait un peu des deux autres car au départ il était plus fermé (surtout au nez).
Puis il était un peu plus bonbon vers la fin avec il goutait les pieds (le bonbon rouge).Un peu plus kirsché aussi.
Très parfumé et une petite note floral.
P.S mon top 3 de bonbons de dépanneur à faire compter par le commis :
1) Les pieds rouges
2) Les petites framboises
3) La baleine bleue.
Mention dégueulasse à la fraise et à la banane sêché que personne voulait dans le contenant.
16/20++
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5/28/2016 - forceberry wrote: 93 Points
Youthful, dark, almost black cherry color with faint purple hues and moderate translucency. Lovely, complex and wild nose so typical of Musar: sweet volatile notes, rich kirsch-driven fruit, ripe and succulent red berries, sunny dark fruit, some acetone, a little prune and a hint of bretty funk. Very intense, structured and quite full-bodied palate with surprisingly concentrated flavors of ripe dark berries, toasted spices, some sweet plummy fruit, a little sour cherry and a hint of acetaldehyde salinity - all counterpointed by moderately pronounced bitterness. Moderate acidity and quite chewy, grainy tannins. Moderately long, spicy and slightly bitter finish with a bit of alcohol warmth and flavors of sour cherry, tart lingonberry and a hint of salinity in the aftertaste.
A surprisingly concentrated and structured Musar, which is nice after the weaker 2007 and still nonexistent 2006. Very imposing with brooding, dark-toned fruit and those typical volatile-and-funky Musar notes; although promising, seems to be in a bit awkward phase right now. Currently requires easily more than just 2 hours of decanting which we had; however, I recommend giving the wine at least a decade more before opening it. Very, very recommended - one of the most promising Musars in a while.
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5/26/2016 - Zweder wrote: 92 Points
Occasional dinner group: A mixed set.. (By FN): Concentrated bouquet with ripe dark berries, herbs and spices as well as rustic in a very pleasant way. All impressions on the palate as well. Beautiful acidity and round tannin with a good bite. Concentrated, modern and clean wine in its youthful phase. In fact I see now that I fully agree with the note of Xavier Auerbach. Would like to taste again around 2022.
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5/24/2016 - Xavier Auerbach wrote: 92 Points
A private dinner (Restaurant De Lage Vuursche, Lage Vuursche, NL): Mature but lively appearance, maturing at the rim; quite a modern and clean style for Musar, sweet fruit, spices and a hint of cream, but not without the customary porty note of VA, and the earthy and leathery character; bright and youthful and tannic on the palate, tight but fresh and juicy, energetic and mineral, firm but well-balanced, garrigue, spices, tannic grip; good resonance on the finish, very good length. Very youthful for age, long life.
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5/8/2016 - Bakka Likes this wine: 90 Points
Wow! That's a powerful red. Lots of spice and herbs. Worked great with BBQ. Plenty of cellaring potential.
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5/4/2016 - Shiaxonna wrote: 89 Points
Powerful. Oaky. Lovely. Vanilla. Fruit. Tremendous amounts of balanced power. Perhaps a bit much oak.
50+5+12+14+8 (89p)
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4/8/2016 - Shiaxonna wrote: 89 Points
Bottle opened 24 hours ago. Pitch dark red color. Dense, young and with a slight bricking in the edges. The nose is extremely oaky. Not much else in here. Some hints of fruit under a layer of oak. But the taste on the other hand kicks ass! Powerful, concentrated, fruity and nicely balanced with hints of raisins and prunes. Slight oxidation here? There are also cherries, blackcurrant, leather and marked tannins. Perhaps a bit too much tannins right now. This wine is very young, but that should not be a surprise to anyone.
50+5+11+15+8 (89p)
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4/6/2016 - peternelson wrote: 90 Points
Licorice, cherry kirsch, black-red cherry-cassis; touch of rose, lavender, sage, coffee, clove; soft entry, Mod+ body, lovely juicy sweet cherry fruit and sweet and sour sauce; concrete/granite sort of minerality, balanced, dusty tannins, good acidity, bright finish, has potential. Usually 1/3 each cab/cinsault/carignan. Ripe year, fruitiest vintage to date. 90-91. Marc Hochar tasting at Terroni.
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4/4/2016 - RajivAyyangar wrote: 91 Points
Musar Industry Tasting at Wingtip with Marc Hochar (Wingtip): Still primary, with stem-like herbaceousness, dark cherry and red cherry. Structured and tight with firm tannins (medium plus). Reminds me of a more primary version of the 2004. This isn’t Musar yet. Wait at least 10 years.
Score: Around 9
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4/1/2016 - bubblewitz Likes this wine: 90 Points
Spicy, powerful, red berries
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3/26/2016 - BSA Likes this wine: 90 Points
Smoke, barn, mature red berries, sweet plums, figs, exotic spices and herbs. Bit dry and warm in the finish, but not distracting really. Bit tight. Clearly ready for many years in the cellar. Promising. Showing well now, but will only improve.
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3/20/2016 - PC73 wrote: 87 Points
Sweetness of fruit. Simple. Easy to drink. Not exciting.
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3/16/2016 - Traveling Diva Likes this wine: 89 Points
This wine is already very good. I'm looking forward to trying another bottle in a couple years. Currently it really hits the back of the throat and has a full, deliciously fruity flavour.
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3/14/2016 - aquacongas wrote: 90 Points
too young, only decanted for half hour, a lot of cassis, one dimensional, typical new world wine
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3/1/2016 - nsellen wrote: 89 Points
From half. Clear, viscous and dark red. Nose warm, fruity, nutmeg, a touch of nail varnish (not off-putting). In the mouth, sweet dark fruit, a bit of a christmas cake vibe about the spice element. The VA is low level, persistent and necessary to the slightly off-kilter profile. Tannins and acidity sub-medium. This is a very easy drinking Musar which may make some ask, what's the big deal?
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2/21/2016 - AndersAnd Likes this wine: 90 Points
God vin. Men tror den bør ligge noen går til.
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2/20/2016 - AndersAnd Likes this wine: 90 Points
God vin. Men tror den bør ligge noen går til.
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2/19/2016 - bitdrerik wrote: 90 Points
Kloden rundt. Vínsmakk hjá deildinni. (Njálsgata 6): Sjötta vínið og það síðasta úr dýrasta klassanum. Umhellt tvisvar og látið standa í flöskunni í ca. þrjá tíma fyrir smakk. Meðaldökkur litur. Í nefi var aðallega að finna leysiefni og líka smá útihús. Ilmurinn truflaði marga smakkara. Bragðið var hins vegar mun viðfelldnara. Dökk ber, jarðartónar í munni. Ekki mikil ending. Vínið var að öllum líkindum örlítið korkað. Þó ekki svo mikið að skipti sköpum. Skrítið vín en gaman að hafa smakkað það.
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1/28/2016 - forceberry wrote: flawed
Deep and dark figgy red color with only slight transparency.
Musty TCA nose.
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1/25/2016 - labohue wrote:
Robe sombre, sanguine.
Du fruit mur au nez. Touches fumées et épices, poivre?
En bouche y a de la matière. Fruits murs, tannins soyeux. L acidité donne juste ce qu il faut avec le carré d agneau du jour.
Toujours long en bouche. C est à la fois tendre, délicat et un rien matcho.
Une énorme claque pour moi. Un vin de garde sans nul doute. 2 heures en carafe à 16 degrés.
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1/24/2016 - Curtly Likes this wine: 87 Points
Very similar to domaine meteore les orionides, but twice the price.....I'm going to wait and see if it improves
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1/22/2016 - larseman Likes this wine: 91 Points
Stor maffig doft av mörk frukt, läder, kaffe, kryddnejlika och sandelträ. Lite stall och antydan till brandrök. Mycket mörk frukt också i smaken, rejäl syra, fina integrerade tanniner och mycket bra längd.
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1/20/2016 - NiklasW wrote: 93 Points
Decanted for 30 mins. Lots of excellent Musarness here, beautiful red berries with a smoky background and a hint of barnyard on the nose. The palate shows sweet red berries, feeling very young, strong tannins, good acidity. Surely this will age very nicely! Excellent now as well.
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1/9/2016 - Exered68 Likes this wine: 92 Points
Consumed with rump steak in peppercorn sauce along with croquettes and mixed roast veggies.
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1/8/2016 - johnrm Likes this wine: 92 Points
Opened 6h prior and double decanted. Good colour and a fine, forward nose. Juicy fruit - big, voluptuous and yet soft and immediately attractive. Good structure and balance; long. This bottle was more impressive than the half tasted earlier. As before, this is very drinkable but will undoubtedly gain complexity as it matures over decades.
Tasted at Grand Union Wine Society with Jane Sowter of Chateau Musar (UK)
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11/26/2015 - Sevencircles Likes this wine: 91 Points
Great wine with depth, tannins and freshness. A double bubble no doubt. 91 minus right now
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11/12/2015 - johnrm Likes this wine: 89 Points
Half bottle. Rich deep colour - youthful. 6h after decanting it showed a typical nose and rich cherry fruit with a hint of orange and a touch of oak. Some cherry stones later.
A nice drink but it has decades ahead to show its potential.
Tasted side by side with an '87 (unfair, I know) and the difference was dramatic. The older wine had just as much fruit plus all the spicy complexity and the almost liqueur-like ending that this will offer in time.
My score is my view of the wine now - not an indication of its potential.
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10/16/2015 - Bobhelge wrote: 90 Points
Intensity in the 2008 is not explosive but complexity certainly is great. The nose shows a bit VA like fresh car paint aromas and raw leather. Burnt wood and hints of barnyard is present. The fruit is ripe raspberry, strawberry and figs. Palate is nice and balanced with lively acidity and ripe tannins. Sour cherry and liquorice flavours.
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10/5/2015 - Bearbus wrote:
riper style Musar, lots of wild honey! on the nose, bark, some cedar and spice; some fruit sweetness but still savoury enough, good acidity, soft round mouth with silty tannins, quite elegant, nice mouthfeel.
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8/31/2015 - Wineguy76 wrote: 94 Points
The 2008 Musar is yet another undeniable success and living tribute to the late Serge Hochar and the wonderful legacy he built. Exhibiting an enticing dense garnet core, this typical blend of Cabernet, Cinsault and Carignan delivers a lovely aromatic bouquet of figs, prunes, burnt tar, tobacco leaf and damp forest floor. Full bodied yet graceful and delicate the wine indulges the palate with layer upon layer of orange mocha, chocolate syrup, sun dried tomatoes and Grand Marnier - and lingers on for nearly a full minute with a long silky finish. This beauty will need another three years in the cellar before reaching full maturity and will then age effortlessly for at least thirty years - as most Musars do.
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8/4/2015 - MacLizardking Likes this wine: 93 Points
This baby just keeps getting better and better....a couple of hours decade and nom, nom, nom! Long fulsome fruit, Musar aroma (i.e. incredible!) an an utter joy the palate....crazy flavoursome - all the reasons I love and drink red wine. Also think the initial tightness simply means that the 08 is going to become a highly collectable vintage....possibly even in to 05 territory! Now, that's a big ask! Might even have to bump up to 94 or 95 if this maturation continues. And all for circa 20 quid!!!!! Cheers...
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6/23/2015 - thewinelake Likes this wine: 91 Points
Interesting! Musars are always different and lean in different directions - and change with age and with air (more than most wines). This vintage is very sleek, powerful and modern-styled - perhaps most similar to a SuperTuscan Cabernet-Sangiovese blend or possibly CaliCab. Really quite opulent by initial release standards. Much more to my taste than the surly 2007. 2006 hasn't been released yet, so I suppose 2005 is a comparison point. That was a rather classier number - this is relatively tarty for a Musar, but there's always a twist, so I'll embrace tartiness in this bottle (something I usually steer clear of). A very good effort and one to go long on - see if you can pick some up if/when Waitrose do their next 25% off everything deal.
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6/8/2015 - Rupert wrote: 89 Points
Tight, grippy, thick and plummy, spicy - restrained for a Musar, but of course it's young
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5/21/2015 - angelvillan Likes this wine: 92 Points
Superb Musar.
Closed in decanter for 24 hours.
Colour: Clean, spotless, dark ruby. Still youthful.
Nose: A melange of berry fruit compote; a hint of white pepper, sour plum, fig, orange zest,tobacco, herbs and nail varnish. Rhone meets old Garnacha.
Tell-tale hint of volatile acidity that has become a Musar trademark.
Palate: Fruit sweetness tempered by good lick of acidity; Gentle tannin; Exotic spices, fig and sour plum come through with a savoury finish. Slight 'bite' on the back palate.
On the whole this is a delicious Musar that will certainly age gracefully, but why wait? (Will buy more).
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5/19/2015 - MacLizardking Likes this wine: 93 Points
Having discovered six bottles of the '08 tucked in an under-stock and being unsure when it's officially released, I grabbed the six and headed home. Readers of my other reviews will be only too well aware that I adore this winery and it's stunning wares...so, what of the 08?
Over three days, I partook of three bottles, one each for Friday, Saturday and Sunday. All three were opened and stood for an hour and then decanted, and slowly enjoyed over the course of the evening.
From the off, all of the traditional Musar excitement on the nose is present...deep, rich, spicy...yet with hidden depth and promise. On the palate, an immediate treat...juicy, like the 07 after breathing, a pretty glugable treat from the off...HOWEVER, this one needs to be left, to start revealing some of the promise of that which, I strongly suspect, is to be. Over the next few hours a rollercoaster of alternate flavours and experiences arrived within my senses...sharp, drying tannins kicked in, and the flavour tightened massively...hence my rating being closer to the legendary 05 and even higher than the 07. From there, the flavours relaxed over an hour, descending in to big fruit and a dark, strong, dare I say "dirty" (but in a great, indulgent way?) flavour...Then, over the next hour, tastes and aromas lightening gently, the strong flavours elevated to leave the juicy Musar elegance I love so much.
So, what to say about the 08? I will be buying more when I find it, and, with fellow Musar acolytes, open a bottle or two to debate over and enjoy, but the majority...well, they will sit next to the 05...awaiting their peak, or approach to it! This is a stunning addition to the Hochar fold (another star in the late, great Gaston's firmament) but one that is going to deliver beautifully in a few years time...it's a long flavoursome finish already, but I strongly suspect that a couple more years will level the ride and deliver yet another example of why Lebanon, and this diamond of a winery in particular, should be hailed not only as the originator, but also as a world leader in the art. Enjoy. Cheers...
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